Asperger Syndrome And Employment: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome [Paperback]

Genevieve Edmonds (Author, Editor), Luke Beardon (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1843106485 | ISBN-13: 978-1843106487 | Edition: 1

Employment is an important part of a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life but less than 20 per cent of people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) are in work at any one time. The adults with AS in this book explore the issues surrounding employment, providing advice and insights for others with AS, as well as their employers and colleagues.Drawing on personal experience and lessons learned, "Asperger Syndrome and Employment" looks at: the transition from education to employment; the importance of matching skills to career choices; practical coping strategies for employees with AS in the workplace; advice for employers, including the need to make 'reasonable adjustments' to avoid discrimination; and, ways in which employment services ought to work for people with AS.This is essential reading for adults with AS, their family and friends, employment services and career advisers, and companies needing to know how, in practical terms, to accommodate employees with AS.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is the book we need for guidance on employment for people with Asperger's syndrome. The contributors describe their employment experiences and offer sound advice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the success stories and took note of the words of warning of what not to do.'- Professor Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome --Professor Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

About the Author

Genevieve Edmonds is an adult with Asperger Syndrome who is a consultant, trainer and writer in the field of autism. She is trained to postgraduate level in Autism. She consults and trains across the UK aiming to help society see Asperger Syndrome and Autism as differences not to be 'fixed' and changed but to be respected and supported. She has co-written four books on Asperger Syndrome: 'The Asperger Love Guide', 'The Asperger Social Guide', 'The Asperger Social Guide' (Sage Publications) and 'A Self Determined Future with Asperger Syndrome' (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). She is based in North West England and lives and works in a solution-focused way. Luke Beardon is Senior Lecturer in Autism at The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843106485
• ISBN-13: 978-1843106487
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aspies Need More Chances to Get Ahead!, June 4, 2008

By 

edrm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome And Employment: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

Retrospectively, adults with Asperger Syndrome have been through harder times than I would expect in the United Kingdom. I must say the adult Aspies in this book are a lot happier than before they were diagnosed, because they have found how to cope with both their pros and cons in order to get employed. I can see many of them have felt different and/or distant from other people not only at school but at work, which often causes frequent job changes, alienation, and other negative effects. Actually, I still have the same experiences and am between jobs right now.

According to Professor Tony Attwood, one of the most famous specialists on AS, only 10% of adults with AS are diagnosed in Australia! How devastating! After all, Aspies need more support and understanding from other people. Recently more people have come to know developmental disabilities. But we must accept the fact that it will still take time to improve the situation to help developmentally challenged people.

3.0 out of 5 stars Asperger Boots on the Ground, February 8, 2011

By 

John M. Ford "johnDC" (near DC, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome And Employment: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome (Kindle Edition)

Genevieve Edmonds and Luke Beardon have assembled fifteen chapters from various individuals who have Asperger Syndrome (AS) or high functioning autism. Each author describes their experiences finding, keeping--and sometimes losing--jobs. Some accounts are supplemented by comments from an author's employer or family member. All give useful advice to fellow "aspies" and employers who may consider hiring them.

Some key issues were emphasized by more than one author. They include:

- In addition to challenges in social interaction, time management, and adapting to change, AS employees have strengths in candor, attention to detail and other areas that can make them excellent employees.

- Consider carefully whether to disclose an AS diagnosis to your employer and peers. There are the advantages of support and greater understanding. But there can be social disadvantages as well.

- An AS employee should not expect their coworkers to care too much about their condition. It is important to accept this, make the adaptations to work effectively, and appreciate the few people who will care and seek understanding.

- AS job applicants may "look good on paper," but they often don't do well in the unpredictable social arena of the job interview. Preparation is key.

Each chapter is introduced by a helpful introduction. The authors describe their experiences clearly, using the language that is most comfortable for them. Their candor and insightfulness are both refreshing and instructive. I think the editors achieve their goal of providing an aspie view of work and of the challenges of obtaining and retaining employment. The book has a few weaknesses. It is less useful to readers from the United States because of its UK focus--there are different support services, employment laws, and so on. And much of its job hunting advice is the same as given to all employment-seekers. It is just provided in greater detail and with some of the assumptions spelled out--as is appropriate for the book's intended audience.

I recommend this book to AS job seekers, their family members, and to employers who would like to be better prepared to manage an AS employee.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Asperger & employment, January 29, 2009

By 

Collene (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Asperger Syndrome And Employment: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome (Paperback)

Easy to read & understand the disease. If you have a friend with Aspergers, good to read this book.